Firm Track Doesn’t Matter To Starrahy Eyed

The last race of Derby weekend here in Louisiana witnessed the inaugural running of the six furlong Rusty Bucket Special (G2) for three year old fillies. Eleven fillies came to the gate at post time on Saturday with Unfabulous the slight favorite over Vixen Valley as they were loaded into the gate.

At the end of the six furlong sprint it was an upset by off-track speedster Starrahy Eyed (Rahy x Danzig x Graustark) that stole the show. The Kentucky-bred chestnut filly, owned by pegasus of Citation Stables, had previously had six career wins, half of which had come over an off-turf track. But an off track didn’t matter to Starrahy Eyed on Saturday as she left the number six gate and was held off the pace by jockey T. Campy, to rate back in fifth in a tightly bunched field, just one and three-fourth lengths off the race pacesetter, Dana’s Magic (Borrego x Nureyev x Nashua), who is owned by mindtwins. The chestnut filly was kept off the pace, no further back than two and a half lengths at any time of the six furlong sprint. T. Campy urged the young filly forward to challenge the front runners as they made their way home into the stretch. Starrahy Eyed quickly moved up into second and drew alongside the slight race favorite, Unfabulous, then went on by, winning the race by a length in 1:09 3/5 with a speed figure of one hundred two and became the inaugural winner of the first ever Rusty Bucket Special (G2).

The race favorite, Unfabulous (Borrego x Sharpen Up (GB) x Grey Dawn II), who is owned by fairhaven2 of The Evil Empire was held up closer to the pace of the race and was just one-fourth length back behind in second after Dana’s Magic. When Dana’s Magic faltered by the third call, Unfabulous went on to take the lead by one and one fourth length only to be challenged by Starrahy Eyed, who had been lying in wait the majority of the race. Unfabulous finished a length back behind in second while setting a speed figure of one hundred with jockey F. Oxon.

Rounding out the field for third was the second betting choice, Vixen Valley (Orientate x Capote x Mr. Prospector), who is trained by focusforce of Nextbonus Racing. The bay filly was also held off the pace, settling in fourth under jockey B. Moore one and a half lengths off the pace of the leader during the race. She was held back in fourth longer than the eventual winner, Starrahy Eyed and made her move after Starrahy Eyed had already went up to challenge Unfabulous. Making a valiant move on the far outside and going around horses, Vixen Valley came up three and one-fourth lengths short and settled for second, setting a speed figure of ninety-five.

Also rans in the Rusty Bucket Special are: Learawi (ENG), Dana’s Magic, Tom N Jerry, Ziggolo (ENG), Paul’s Boutique (AUS), Lola Montez (ENG), Ivanovic, and Rah Rah Rah .